FIRST PHOTOS: Boeing Transfers 1st C-17 to Indian Air Force

[thestringshredder]

Link - http://www.livefistdefence.com/2013/06/first-photos-boeing-transfers-1st-c-17.html

 

[veekysingh]

good news , welcome to india baby

 

[That Guy]

Congrats.

Really, all this proves is that money can buy you anything.

 

[420canada]

Cold Start..... *cough* cough*

 

[egodoc222]

Great addition to iaf inventory. Indian might end up having more than 30 of these beauties..

 

[thestringshredder]

IAF flies home its first Boeing C-17 airlifter

WASHINGTON: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has flown home its first Boeing Globemaster III, becoming the newest operator of the leading airlifter, giving it the world's most advanced humanitarian and strategic capabilities.

The first aircraft was transferred to IAF in Long Beach, California, on Tuesday after completion of a flight test programme at Edwards Air Force Base in Palmdale, California, that began following the January 22 delivery.

Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014, the St. Louis, Missouri headquartered Boeing Defence, Space & Security, a unit of the Boeing Company, said in a media release.

"The C-17 will equip the Indian Air Force with amongst the world's most advanced humanitarian and strategic capabilities," said Air Vice Marshal SRK Nair, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Transport and Helicopters).

"We have looked forward to this day when our Indian Air Force flies the first C-17 to its new home in India."

"Congratulations to the Indian Air Force on this milestone as India joins the worldwide community of C-17 operators," said Tommy Dunehew, Boeing vice president of Business Development for Mobility, Surveillance and Engagement.

"Nations turn to the C-17 for the capability to perform a wide range of operations, from peacekeeping and disaster relief to troop movements from semi-prepared airfields. This aircraft will provide the Indian Air Force with the versatility to augment airlift capability."

Boeing will support the IAF C-17 fleet through the Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Programme (GISP) performance-based logistics contract.

The GISP "virtual fleet" arrangement ensures mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers access to an extensive support network for worldwide parts availability and economies of scale.

Boeing has now delivered 254 C-17s, including 222 to the US Air Force and a 32 C-17s to India and a few other nations.

Link - IAF flies home its first Boeing C-17 airlifter - The Times of India

 

[IND151]

Livefist: FIRST PHOTOS: Boeing Transfers 1st C-17 to Indian Air Force

I hope the we buy additional 6 planes too

 

[perplexed]

kuch chota nahin lag raha ?

 

[Dillinger]

Congrats.

Really, all this proves is that money can buy you anything.

The best part is when we buy their stuff and then push them aside when it comes to stuff like CISMOA. Money does indeed take one rather far along the road.

 

[anant_s]

 

[Bullet500]

Awesome American tech delivered right on time. I hope Russians learn something from this!! can it carry Arjun Mk1/2?

 

[sancho]

awesome!! can it carry Arjun Mk1/2?

Yes, but only a single one, which is not an effectively transport capability, so that will happen only in specific situations.

 

[420canada]

Congrats.

Really, all this proves is that money can buy you anything.

no *hit Sherlock

 

[The A-5]

Yes, but only a single one, which is not an effectively transport capability, so that will happen only in specific situations.

But transporting 1 tank is far better than not being able to transport any, right?

In certain battlefields, especially along LAC or near Siachen and/or other high-altitude areas with
airstrips, even a single tank can create a difference, especially when the enemy is not capable
of transporting any tanks to that area.

Besides, it can make multiple flights beforehand (say, 24 flights, transporting 12 tanks), and
form a small contingent of armor at a given high-altitude battlefield, the 12 tanks can then
set off at the same time for an armored ambush.

 

[sancho]

In certain battlefields, especially along LAC or near Siachen and/or other high-altitude areas with
airstrips, even a single tank can create a difference, especially when the enemy is not capable
of transporting any tanks to that area.

Not possible, since even the C17 can carry only roughly half of it's payload at such altitudes, that's where the light tank / tank destroyer requirement of IA comes from.

Besides, it can make multiple flights beforehand (say, 24 flights, transporting 12 tanks), and
form a small contingent of armor at a given high-altitude battlefield, the 12 tanks can then
set off at the same time for an armored ambush.

There are not many airfields in that area that could operate a C17 and the more effective way would be to use a railroad link to the northern areas, where IA could transport even more MBTs at once, instead of single flight missions, with all the time needed to load and off load the MBT, to take off and land at the 2 air strips and the transit time in between.
As I said, it is a possibility, but only for some very specific scenarios and won't be a common transport way for IA / IAF, or you would need a far bigger fleet of aircrafts, but the high costs of the C17 doesn't make it viable to procure large numbers, for such a niche requirement.
IA and IAF should focus on some specialised amored corps, only with the idea of mobility and rapid movement in mind, which includes IFVs, light tanks / tank destroyers, morta carriers and SPH on the one side and the necessary transport aircrafts in useful numbers on the other side.